Efren Navarro might be one of those players who spends the bulk of his career going from the big leagues to the minors. But the Lynwood High product is doing everything he can not to be that guy.

Navarro on Saturday was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake City to the Angels for the third time this season. Except for 2012, when he spent the entire season at Salt Lake, this has been Navarro’s life since 2011 – up and down, down and up from Triple-A.

“Yeah, it’s not easy, of course,” the outfielder/first baseman said Sunday before the Angels took on the Detroit Tigers at Angel Stadium. “But it’s a business. When I started my professional career, the Angels gave me a jersey and it helped get me to where I’m at.

“And now I’m here. And, yes, it’s a tough pill to swallow when they call my name and they say, ‘You’re being sent down.’ But it’s also great when they call my name and they’re telling me that I’m going back to the big leagues.”

One thing’s certain, Navarro has a terrific attitude about what he called this “roller-coaster” ride. He’s hopeful it will bear fruit.

“The way I see it, if I go down and if I’m upset, that’s not going to get me nowhere,” said Navarro, who was drafted in the 50th round by the Angels in 2007. “That’s just going to make things worse down there. But if I have the right mind-set, attitude and I hit well down there, obviously, that’s giving me a shot to be back up here. And that’s the way I should go about it.”

Navarro had 10 at-bats with the big club in 2011, none in 2012 and just four in 2013. He finally had more than a cup of coffee in 2014, getting 159 at-bats and batting .245 with 10 doubles, a home run and 14 RBIs. He hit .306 with runners in scoring position, fourth best on the team among players with significant at-bats.

Yes, Navarro said, he would love to be in the big leagues “every single day.”

“Is it going to happen? Maybe not,” said Navarro, 29. “But I’m going to stay ready. And the one thing that I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, just staying in control of what I can control and that’s how I prepare myself physically and mentally and when my name’s called upon, I go out and do my job.”

Navarro started at first base Saturday and went 1 for 3. All that did was raise his average to .227 with the big club. The good thing is, he can play multiple positions. That makes him more valuable. But it doesn’t guarantee a thing.

“He’s worked very hard, he contributed a lot last year,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “But to make footprints in the big leagues is not easy.”

Pujols still at DH

First baseman Albert Pujols on Sunday was the designated hitter for the second consecutive game after tweaking his groin Friday night. Scioscia said it will remain that way until Pujols is ready to get back on the field.

“We’re a better team when Albert plays first base, no doubt,” he said. “But secondary to that, what we can’t miss is what he can do in the batter’s box. So he’s going to get as much time has he needs and if he can swing in the batter’s box and thinks that it’s going to be irritated by playing first base, we’ll keep him at DH.”

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